Brief Trainings to Buffer Against Acute Stress Effects
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Enrollment
- 172
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Number of trials completed in optional Generosity task
Study Overview
Brief Summary
The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of several brief trainings based on contemplative practices and positive psychology to buffer against the negative effects that acute stress has on behavior and cognitive abilities. The investigators hypothesize that training will buffer against negative effects of acute stress.
Detailed Description
Participants will be taught a stress reducing training (breath awareness, loving kindness practice, gratitude exercise) and will practice using this technique for 10-15 minutes. Following this, all participants will undergo the Cold Pressor Task (CPT) for up to 3 minutes.
Before and after these tasks, participant data related to attention, working memory, self regulation, affect, and prosociality will be collected.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Basic Science
- Masking
- None
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to — (Adult, Older Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •undergraduate psychology recruitment pool
Exclusion Criteria
- •non-native English speakers, pregnant women
Arms & Interventions
Loving-Kindness training
Participants receive Loving-Kindness meditation training for approximately 12 minutes.
Intervention: Loving-Kindness meditation training (Behavioral)
Breath Awareness training
Participants receive Breath Awareness meditation training for approximately 12 minutes.
Intervention: Breath Awareness meditation training (Behavioral)
Gratitude training
Participants will receive Gratitude training for approximately 12 minutes.
Intervention: Gratitude (Behavioral)
Control
Participants write and then think about the physical space in which they live (i.e., their home) for approximately 12 minutes.
Intervention: Control (Behavioral)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Number of trials completed in optional Generosity task
Time Frame: 40 minutes post stress induction
Positive and Negative Affect Schedule ratings at baseline
Time Frame: Baseline
Positive and Negative Affect Schedule ratings after pre-test measures
Time Frame: 2 minutes before training
Positive and Negative Affect Schedule ratings after post-test
Time Frame: 1 minute after post-test measures
Implicit Positive and Negative Affect Test at baseline
Time Frame: Baseline
Change from baseline on likeability ratings of neutral stimuli
Time Frame: Baseline and 1 minute post stress induction
Change from baseline performance on Operational Span task
Time Frame: Baseline and 10 minutes following post stress induction
Change from baseline in time spent on hand grip self regulation task
Time Frame: Baseline and 30 minutes post stress induction
Positive and Negative Affect Schedule ratings after training
Time Frame: 1 minute after training
Implicit Positive and Negative Affect Test after training
Time Frame: 1 minute after training
Implicit Positive and Negative Affect Test after stress induction
Time Frame: 1 minute after stress induction
Implicit Positive and Negative Affect Test after post-test
Time Frame: 1 minute after post-test
Positive and Negative Affect Schedule ratings after stress induction
Time Frame: 1 minute after stress induction
Implicit Positive and Negative Affect Test after pre-test measures
Time Frame: 2 minutes before training
Secondary Outcomes
- Participant interest in participating in future training(40 minutes post stress induction)